Areas where property prices are likely to outperform Japan's inflation target

With the Bank of Japan's governor Haruhiko Kuroda setting a 2% inflation rate target within the next two years, which locations are more likely to receive the benefits of inflating asset prices and which areas are not?

In July 2002, Nikkei Business published a special feature on the 'real estate revolution' as Japan's property market was reaching a turning point. The feature stressed the importance of looking at the investment returns on all types of real estate and introduced the reporting of rental returns by train station.

More than 10 years have passed since the original article, and the Japan appears to be at another turning point.Read more

by Zoe Ward

The Jingumae Residence 84% sold

The Jingumae Residence, a recently completed condominium near Omotesando, has seen a surge in sales in the first half of 2013.

The sales office and showroom opened in January 2012. Of the 148 apartments available for sale, only 60 were sold in 2012. By mid-2013, a total of 125 apartments had sold, leaving 23 apartments remaining for sale. Approximately 15% of the buyers have been foreign investors from Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Akasaka Business Place sold

Daiwa Office Investment Corporation acquired Akasaka Business Place from Hakuba Capital 1 TMK (Angelo Gordon's SPC) for 9.2 billion Yen (approximately 92 million USD).Read more

by Zoe Ward

Be wary of apartments advertised by celebs

One real estate expert is suggesting that buyers be cautious of buying into new developments that use actors, musicians and sports stars to advertise their apartments.

According to journalist Atsushi Sakaki, if a condominium is in a good location and priced in line with the market then it shouldn't need a fancy marketing campaign to appeal to buyers.

A glitzy and flash marketing campaign may sometimes be used to draw attention away from some of the drawbacks of the development. Eg. it may be in a less desirable area, priced too high or too large in scale to achieve strong sales. Read more

by Zoe Ward

81-year old building in Ginza saved from demolition

A historic brick building fronting Ginza's Showa Dori Avenue has been saved from demolition after the new owner had a change of heart and scrapped his redevelopment plans in favour of restoring the 81 year old building.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Tokyo's apartment market boosted by Asian buyers

Luminary Tower Ikebukuro

Buyers from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and China can't get enough of Tokyo's real estate offerings as the weaker Yen makes the capital city a relatively cheaper option when compared with other international capitals.

Many buyers are purchasing an investment that will provide rental income.

A broker near Ikebukuro Station in Toshima-ku said they have noticed an increase in the number of buyers from other Asian countries, particularly Singapore and Hong Kong. The buyers have been keen purchasers in a recently completed high-rise condominium just a few minutes from Ikebukuro Station. Read more

by Zoe Ward

New apartment prices up 7.9% in June

According to the Real Estate Economic Institute, 4,888 new apartments were released for sale in greater Tokyo in June, up 22% from June 2012.

The contract rate improved by 2.9 points from the previous month to 81.6%.

The average apartment price was 48.33 million Yen, up 7.9% from June 2012, but down 1.3% from last month. The average price per square meter was 686,000 Yen, up 8.7% from last year, but down 1.0% from last month.Read more

by Zoe Ward